Tile Lippage Threaded Post

ABSTRACT

A tile lippage removal system preferably includes a spacer post, a threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate. The spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and a threaded shaft. A bottom of the spacer member extends from a top of the base member. A break away connection is made between the spacer member and the base member. A bottom of the threaded shaft extends from a top of the spacer member. A plurality of grip extensions extend from an outer surface of a substantial inverted cup to allow rotation of the threaded cap. A female thread is formed in a center of the substantial inverted cup to threadably receive the threaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate includes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening, which is sized to receive the spacer member. The anti-friction protection plate may be used to improve existing tile lippage removal systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tiles and more specificallyto a tile lippage removal system, which provides only a downward forcefor laying tiles.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 7,992,354 to Doda Jr. discloses a device for leveling andaligning tiles and method for leveling and aligning tiles. U.S. Pat. No.8,635,815 to Brodin discloses a leveling spacer for laying wall tiles,paving tiles and the like with the interposition of gaps. However, bothof the above tile aligning devices and others similar to them, do notonly apply downward force, but also apply a component of lateral force.The lateral force has the tendency to spread the tiles away from eachother, such that the tile edges are no longer parallel to each other.Non-parallel edges between tiles are not acceptable. Additionally, adevice that moves relative to a tile surface to apply downward pressurewill also mar the tile surface. Finally, any lateral movement of thetiles relative to each other will cause tile glue to ooze out.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a tile lippageremoval system, which provides only a downward force for laying tiles;does not mar a top of the tiles; and prevents oozing of tile glue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tile lippage removal system, which doesnot mar a top of the tiles. The tile lippage removal system preferablyincludes a spacer post, a threaded cap and an anti-friction protectionplate. The spacer post includes a base member, a spacer member and athreaded shaft. A bottom of the spacer member extends from a top of thebase member. A break away connection is formed between the spacer memberand the base member. A bottom of the threaded shaft extends from a topof the spacer member. The threaded cap preferably includes a substantialinverted cup and a plurality of grip extensions. The plurality of gripextensions extend from an outer surface of the substantial inverted cupto allow rotation of the threaded cap. A female thread is formed in acenter of the substantial inverted cup to threadably receive thethreaded shaft. The anti-friction protection plate preferably includes around outer perimeter and a spacer opening that is sized to receive anouter perimeter of the spacer post and the threaded shaft. Theanti-friction protection plate may be added to existing tile lippageremoval systems with round threaded caps. The anti-friction protectionplate would have an outer diameter, which is greater than that of thethreaded cap and a spacer opening. The anti-friction protection platesfor wedge type tile lippage removal systems would have a rectangularperimeter shape and a spacer opening that is sized to receive an outerperimeter of the spacer post. The anti-friction protection plate doesnot move laterally relative to the two adjacent tiles. The anti-frictionprotection plate is preferably fabricated from a clear or translucentmaterial.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tilelippage removal system, which provides only a downward force for layingtiles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tilelippage removal system, which does not mar a top of the tiles.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a tilelippage removal system, which prevents oozing of tile glue.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tile lippage removal system retainingtwo adjacent tiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spacer post of a tile lippage removalsystem in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2a is a cross sectional view of a spacer post of a tile lippageremoval system located between two adjacent tiles in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a threaded cap of a tile lippage removalsystem in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3a is a top perspective view of an alterative design of a threadedcap of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 3b is a top perspective view of an alterative design of a threadedcap of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an anti-friction protection plate of atile lippage removal system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a universal anti-friction protectionplate of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a universal anti-friction protectionplate with a spacer post inserted therethrough of a tile lippage removalsystem in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4c is a top view of an anti-friction protection plate with a squareshaft opening of a tile lippage removal system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an existing tile lippage removal systemwith a round threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second existing tile lippage removalsystem with a round threaded cap and an anti-friction protection plate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wedge type existing tile lippageremoval system with an anti-friction protection plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a perspective view of a tile lippage removal system 1. Withreference to FIGS. 2-4, the tile lippage removal system 1 preferablyincludes a spacer post 10, a threaded cap 12 and an anti-frictionprotection plate 14. The spacer post 10 includes a base member 16, aspacer member 18 and a threaded shaft 20. The base member 16 includes athickness “A,” which is located in a middle of the base member 16 andpreferably tapers to a thinner line edge 17 on opposing sides of thebase member 16. A trapezoidal slot 19 is preferably formed in theopposing sides of the base member 16. Opposing ends 21 of the basemember 16 are preferably tapered inward toward each other by acute angle“B” to decrease the footprint of the base member 16. With reference toFIG. 2a , the base member 16 with the tapered thickness, trapezoidalslots 19 and the tapered opposing ends 21 displace a minimum amount ofgrout 102 placed under tiles 100. A bottom of the spacer member 18extends from a top of the base member 16. A break away connection 22 ismade between the spacer member 18 and the base member 16. The break awayconnection 22 preferably includes a line edge 24 and a plurality ofopenings 26. The spacer member 18 includes a thickness “C,” which istapered on opposing sides to form the line edge 24 on the bottom of thespacer member 18. Thickness “C” of the spacer member 18 acts as a spacerto maintain a proper distance between outside edges of two adjacenttiles 100. It is preferable to provide the thickness “C” of the spacermember 18 in multiple sizes, such as 1/16 inch, ⅛ inch and 3/16 inch.The plurality of openings 26 are formed through tapered surfaces 27 onsubstantially a bottom of the spacer member 18. The break awayconnection 22 allows the spacer member 18 to be separated from the basemember 16 by kicking the spacer member 18 with a shoe. The followingdimensions for the threaded shaft 20 are given by way of example and notby way of limitation. It is preferable that the threaded shaft has a 6mm diameter and a 2.5 thread pitch, but other suitable dimensions mayalso be used. It is preferable to use a radius or knuckle thread toincrease the spinning speed of the threaded cap 12, 13 relative to thethreaded shaft 10 and decrease the frictional engagement of the threadedshaft 20 with a female thread in the threaded cap 12, 13.

The threaded cap 12 preferably includes a substantial inverted cup 28and a plurality of grip extensions 30. The plurality of grip extensions30 extend from an outer surface of the substantial inverted cup 28 toallow rotation of the threaded cap 12. A female thread 32 is formed in acenter of the substantial inverted cup 28 to threadably receive thethreaded shaft 20. A plurality of sight openings 25 are formed throughthe substantial inverted cup 28. With reference to FIGS. 3a-3b , analternative design of a threaded cap 13 preferably includes asubstantial inverted cup 29 and a plurality of grip extensions 31. A hub33 extends from a top of the substantial inverted cup 29. A femalethread 35 is formed through a center of the hub 33 to threadably receivethe threaded shaft 20. A plurality of sight openings 37 are formedthrough the substantial inverted cup 29 to form a plurality of ribs 43.The plurality of grip extensions 31 extend from said plurality of ribs43 to allow rotation of the threaded cap 13.

The anti-friction protection plate 14 preferably includes a round outerperimeter and a spacer opening 34. The spacer opening 34 includes athreaded shaft opening 36 and a spacer member opening 38. With referenceto FIG. 4a , a universal anti-friction protection plate 15 preferablyincludes a round outer perimeter and a spacer opening 17. The spaceropening 39 includes a lateral slot 45, a lateral cross-slot 47. Thelateral slot 45 is substantially perpendicular to the lateral cross-slot47. The lateral cross-slot 47 crosses the lateral slot 45. Each end ofthe lateral cross-slot 47 is terminated with a flap member 49. A width“A” of the flap member 27 is about twice a width “B” of the lateralcross-slot 47. The flap member 49 is created in the universalanti-friction protection plate 15 by making two substantially parallelcuts 51, which are parallel to the lateral cross-slot 47 and an end cut53 to define an end of the lateral cross-slot 47. With reference to FIG.4b , a spacer post 11 is inserted through the spacer opening 39. Withreference to FIG. 4c , an anti-friction protection plate 55 preferablyincludes a round outer perimeter and a rectangular threaded shaftopening 57.

With reference to FIGS. 5-6, an anti-friction protection plate 48 may beadded to existing tile lippage removal systems 40, 42 with roundthreaded caps 44, 46, respectively. With reference to FIG. 5, ananti-friction protection plate 48 for the round threaded cap 44 wouldhave an outer diameter, which is greater than that of the threaded cap44. A spacer opening and a threaded shaft opening are formed through theanti-friction protection plate 48 to provide clearance for a spacermember 52. With reference to FIG. 6, an anti-friction protection plate50 for the round threaded cap 44 would have an outer diameter, which isgreater than that of the threaded cap 46. A spacer opening 54 is formedthrough the anti-friction protection plate 50 to provide clearance for aspacer member 56. With reference to FIG. 7, an anti-friction protectionplate 60 for a wedge type tile lippage removal system 58 includes arectangular perimeter shape and a spacer opening 62 that is sized toreceive an outer perimeter of a spacer member 64. A wedge block 66 isretained in the spacer member 64. The round threaded caps 44, 46 and thewedge 66 are hold down devices. The anti-friction protection plates 14,15, 48, 50, 60 do not move laterally relative to the two adjacent tiles100. The anti-friction protection plates 14, 15, 48, 50, 55 and 60 arepreferably fabricated from a clear or translucent material. Thecombination of the translucent or clear anti-friction protection plates14, 15 and 55 and the plurality of sight openings 25, 37 allow adistance between the two adjacent tiles 100 to be viewed through thethreaded cap 12, 13.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A system for leveling adjacent tiles comprising: acap with an axis, a circular base concentric with said axis, a threadedopening formed in said cap and aligned with said axis, a plurality ofopenings formed through said cap; and a spacer post includes a base anda threaded post, said threaded post extends from said base, saidthreaded post is sized to be threadably received by said threadedopening, wherein a break away feature is formed between a portion ofsaid threaded post and said base.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein:said threaded post further includes a spacer portion comprising twoparallel surfaces located proximate to said break away feature.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein: said base of said spacer post includes amaximum thickness at a middle of said base that decreases towardopposing sides thereof.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein: said base ofsaid spacer post includes a maximum width at a middle of said base thatdecreases toward opposing sides thereof
 18. The system of claim 15wherein: said break away feature includes at least one opening.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17 wherein: each opposing side of said base includes aslot formed therein.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein: said slotformed by two surfaces arranged at an acute angle with respect to oneanother.
 21. The system of claim 14 wherein: said threaded post includesa plurality of threads that include a crest that is a full radius. 22.The system of claim 14 wherein: said cap has a substantial cone shape.23. A spacer post for leveling adjacent tiles comprising: a base havinga middle and a pair of opposing sides on either side of said middle,wherein said base includes a maximum thickness at said middle of saidbase that decreases towards said opposing sides, a maximum width at themiddle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides; athreaded post extending from said base, wherein said post includes amale thread and a pair of parallel surfaces proximate to said base withat least one opening formed therethrough.
 24. The spacer post of claim23 wherein: said male thread includes a plurality of threads thatinclude a crest that is a full radius.
 25. The spacer post of claim 23wherein: a break away feature is formed between said pair of parallelsurfaces and said base.
 26. The spacer post of claim 23 wherein: saidbreak away feature includes at least one opening.
 27. A spacer post forleveling adjacent tiles comprising: a base having a middle and a pair ofopposing sides on either side of said middle, wherein said base includesa maximum thickness at said middle of said base that decreases towardssaid opposing sides, a maximum width at said middle of said base thatdecreases towards said opposing sides, a slot is formed in each of saidopposing sides; a threaded post extending from said base, wherein saidpost includes a male thread and a pair of parallel surfaces proximate tosaid base with at least one opening formed there through.
 28. The spacerpost of claim 27 wherein: said male thread includes a plurality ofthreads that include a crest that is a full radius.
 29. The spacer postof claim 27 wherein: said slot formed by two surfaces arranged at anacute angle with respect to one another.
 30. The spacer post of claim 27wherein: a break away feature is formed between said pair of parallelsurfaces and said base.
 31. The spacer post of claim 27 wherein: saidbreak away feature includes at least one opening.
 32. The spacer post ofclaim 31 wherein: said slot formed by two surfaces arranged at an acuteangle with respect to one another.
 33. A system for leveling adjacenttiles comprising: a cap with an axis, a circular base concentric withsaid axis, a threaded opening formed in said cap and aligned with saidaxis, a plurality of openings formed through said cap; and a spacer postincluding a base having a middle and a pair of opposing sides on eitherside of said middle, wherein said base includes a maximum thickness atsaid middle of said base that decreases towards said opposing sides, amaximum width at said middle of said base that decreases towards saidopposing sides, a slot is formed in each of said opposing sides, and athreaded post extending from said base, wherein said post includes amale thread and a pair of parallel surfaces proximate to said base withat least one opening formed there through.